Environment Rules

Regional Plug-In Electric Vehicle Planning - Southern California

jbailey — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:42:58 -0600

This effort was announced in December 2009 and is a nice example of the start of a regional effort to do some comprehensive planning to facilitate the smooth transition to electric vehicles. The initiative is a collaboration between cities, utilities, automakers and others in the Southern California region who will work actively to support and build the necessary infrastructure for the commercial launch of electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Systems Required For New Buildings – Vancouver, British Columbia

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:18:59 -0600

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 683 3895 Institute for Local Self-Reliance 32 7 4783 12.0 Vancouver has established an electric vehicle (EV) charging system requirement for new construction - both single family and multi-family properties. In October 2009, a new rule requires 20% of the parking spots in new multi-family developments in Vancouver to have charging ports for electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Rates

jbailey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:39:37 -0600

With respect to charging electric vehicles (EVs), the ideal scenario would result in a maximum amount of renewable energy flowing into the vehicle's battery packs while at the same time utilizing our existing infrastructure (power plants, transmission/distribution lines) as efficiently as possible. To meet this scenario, the timing of charging up vehicles must be compared to the timing of power plant

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Requirement

jbailey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:43:14 -0600

The idea here would be to get a head start on the emerging market penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) and enact legislation that opens a regulatory proceeding covering electric utility related EV issues. At a minimum, the legislation should require utilities to develop a coordinated infrastructure plan for EVs. Issues included would be: ensuring interoperability of EV equipment, requirements for infrastructure, cost recovery, smart grid integration, time-of-use (TOU) pricing, other rate and billing issues. The proceeding should also bring to light a clear picture of what power plants will be operating during the likeliest charging periods for EVs.

Carbon Taxes with Universal Dividends

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:30:21 -0500

In 2009 a vigorous debate is taking place about the best way to reduce carbon emissions. There are two leading proposals: a carbon cap and emissions auction with revenue returned to Americans as a dividend, and a carbon tax with revenue returned to Americans in the form of lower taxes or a dividend. In the mid 1990s Minnesota debated a carbon tax and dividend bill designed by ILSR. Several studies were done about the impact on various sectors of such a policy.

Tractor-trailer Ban on Local Roads - New Jersey

jbailey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:33:00 -0600

New Jersey was first state in the country to ban large tractor-trailers from its state roads and highways. The restriction, went into effect in July 1999, confined large trucks (more than 102 inches wide) that were not doing business in the state to interstate highways and the National Network, a system of major highways and connector roads.

Solar Initiative Program - California

jbailey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:38:41 -0600

In 2006, California enacted a "Million Solar Roofs" law. The bill reiterates and supplements the California Public Utilities Commission's $2.9 billion California Solar Initiative. The new law extends the PUC solar energy incentives initiative to publicly-owned utilities - municipal and cooperatives. Including the publicly-owned utilities, the PUC must limit the cost of the California Solar Initiative to $3.35 billion over the next 10 years.

Merton Rule - United Kingdom

jbailey — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:23:59 -0600

With aims to inspire renewable energy generation at the local level, in October 2003, Merton became the first local authority in the United Kingdom (UK) to adopt a policy requiring new non-residential developments to generate a portion of their energy needs from on-site renewables.

Climate Neutral Bonding Resolution - A Model for Cities

jbailey — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:09:34 -0600

This resolution is targeted specifically at those communities that have signed on to the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. It will require that construction projects in a community funded with municipal bonds will result in no net increases in global warming pollutants within the community. The resolution can be modified to suit the needs of other communities and could be the basis for state legislation.

Renewable Energy Mitigation Program - Aspen and Pitkin County, CO

jbailey — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:07:05 -0600

In 2000, Aspen and Pitkin County in Colorado launched the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP). The program charges new homeowners one fee if their homes exceed 5,000 sq. ft. and another fee up to $100,000 if they exceed the "energy budget" allotted to their property by the local building code. As of Fall 2002, REMP has raised more than $2 million for local energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. REMP's goal is to keep three tons of carbon out of the air for every excess ton of carbon put into the air.

Climate Action Plan Tax - Boulder, CO

jbailey — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:04:00 -0600

The passage (60 percent in favor) of a city-wide referendum in November 2006, establishes a charge on electricity users based on how much energy they use. The money will go to support Boulder's Climate Action Plan to reduce global warming pollution. The passage marked the first time in the nation that a municipal government will impose an energy tax on its residents to directly combat climate change.

Global Warming Action Plan - Portland, OR and Multnomah County

jbailey — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:01:49 -0600

In April 2001, Portland City Council and the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted a joint Local Action Plan on Global Warming with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2010.